Quarry Rock Picnic Area — Attraction in Bentleyville

We recently visited the Quarry Rock Picnic Area located in the Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation. Quarry Rock Picnic Area is located on the west side of Solon Road in Bentleyville, Ohio.

Quarry Rock Picnic Area is the only Picnic area in Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation located on the east bank of the Chagrin River. The entrance drive and parking areas are the only paved areas in the Picnic Area. Some of the picnic tables are on concrete pads.

The isolated location of Quarry Rock Picnic Area lends to not many visitors to this site. It rained heavily the night before our visit. There are two trails a lower trail along the river bank and an upper trail set back from the river on top of the old quarry walls. We stayed on the lower trail that had standing water in some spots and slippery soil on some inclined trail segments. On dry days, this would provide solid footing. We did not explore the upper trail on this visit. A steep set of steps is the entrance/exit to the upper trail from the parking area.

The sound of the river and "rapids" and small waterfalls were impressive because of the overnight rainfall. A couple of scenic overlooks are placed strategically over the Chagrin River. The Quarry Rock Picnic Area is a great place to listen to the sound of running water and to chill out from your cares and concerns. The farthest part of the lower trail from the parking area is where you can wade in the river.

A few of the mini waterfalls on the opposite bank were active because of the overnight rains. Not all of them would have water flowing on dryer days.

There is a unisex portotoilet located at the west end of the parking area. The Quarry Rock Picnic Area is dog friendly. Dogs need to be on a leash. This area has great natural sounds and picture...

Why am I even reviewing this when I don't want more people to know about it? Ok so trust me, it's lame. No shopping. Weak cell tower signals. And the approach to the river's edge is somewhat inclined and full of white noises. Forest bathing is overrated. It's inconvenient that Henry Church Rock is on the other side of the river, forcing you to search out a sturdy walking stick before making the perilous journey across to see the serpent carving. Give those first responders a break and head to the ice cream shop instead. You'll never realize...

It's places like this that remind you of how beautiful Ohio really is. Sometimes, I even actually forget im even in Ohio when I visit one of the Metro parks. I spent over 7 hour's here just wandering and drinking in the beauty of Fall and all of it's colors. Saw numerous cranes, and even walked up on one sleeping with it's head tucked down in it's wing, we both completely scared each other, me when it woke up and took flight, poor crane, because I screamed thinking it was a big clump of leaves not realizing it was a...